Here’s Where Kamala Harris Stands on Climate
She pursued polluters as attorney general in California and later staked out bold positions as a senator, including sponsorship of the Green New Deal.
Kamala Harris has a long history of prioritizing environmental issues and addressing climate change, both as a senator and as vice president. Here is a rewritten version of the text with some minor changes for clarity and consistency:
Kamala Harris, a longtime advocate for the environment, is expected to continue championing climate action as she joins the presidential race. Her commitment to building on the Biden administration's climate achievements could resonate with voters amid a summer of record-breaking heatwaves. A clear majority of Americans (65 percent) favor a focus on renewable energy sources over fossil fuels, according to a Pew Research Center survey from May.
Last year, Vice President Harris addressed world leaders at the United Nations global climate summit in Dubai, emphasizing the urgency of the climate crisis. She subtly criticized former President Donald J. Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, a move that isolated the United States in the global effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions. With the United States having rejoined the agreement under President Biden, Harris warned against any backsliding on climate action, especially in the face of resistance from leaders who deny the science of climate change.
The current Republican nominee, Mr. Trump, has signaled his intention to once again retreat from global efforts to combat climate change if he returns to the White House. In contrast, Harris has consistently demonstrated her commitment to climate action. She has pursued polluters as California's attorney general, staking out bold positions as a senator, and casting a pivotal tie-breaking vote for the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act—the most substantial climate investment in American history.
Harris's climate adviser, Ike Irby, indicated that her focus would be on implementing the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides over $370 billion in funding for wind, solar, batteries, and electric vehicles. This law is designed to facilitate a transition away from fossil fuels, the burning of which is a major driver of global temperature rise. Republicans have vowed to overturn this legislation if they gain control of Congress and the presidency, doubling down on their commitment to fossil fuels at their recent convention.
Gina McCarthy, former national climate adviser under President Biden, asserted that Harris would be a formidable opponent against Trump. McCarthy stated, "She will fight every day for all Americans to have access to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment. Vice President Harris would kick ass against Trump."
As a senator from California, a state known for its progressive climate policies, Harris promoted initiatives to electrify school buses, reduce children's exposure to diesel engine pollution, replace lead water pipes, and enhance drought resilience in agriculture. She also co-sponsored the Green New Deal, a non-binding resolution advocating for a swift transition to clean energy and social equity.
During her 2020 presidential campaign, Harris unveiled a climate plan that included a $10 trillion increase in spending over a decade and a carbon pricing mechanism with dividends returned directly to households. She also supported a ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), a technique for extracting oil and gas that has raised environmental concerns. As California's attorney general, she challenged federal approvals of offshore fracking and investigated Exxon Mobil for allegedly misleading the public about the risks of climate change.
Harris has successfully obtained settlements from oil and gas companies, including Chevron and BP, for violating pollution laws. She also co-sponsored legislation with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to ensure that environmental regulations consider the impact on low-income communities, which are often disproportionately affected by climate change.
While Harris has not used the phrase "Green New Deal" as vice president, her Republican opponents are likely to associate her with the proposal, which conservatives have mocked and criticized. Despite this, environmental groups like Evergreen Action have endorsed her, and youth-led organizations like the Sunrise Movement have praised Biden's decision to step aside, calling for his replacement to put forward a bold vision to address the climate crisis.
Kamala Harris's commitment to climate action and environmental justice is evident in her track record, and she is expected to make it a key component of her presidential campaign. Her stance aligns with the growing public support for renewable energy and the urgent need to address the climate crisis.
Kamala Harris, a longtime advocate for the environment, is expected to continue championing climate action as she joins the presidential race. Her commitment to building on the Biden administration's climate achievements could resonate with voters amid a summer of record-breaking heatwaves. A clear majority of Americans (65 percent) favor a focus on renewable energy sources over fossil fuels, according to a Pew Research Center survey from May.
Last year, Vice President Harris addressed world leaders at the United Nations global climate summit in Dubai, emphasizing the urgency of the climate crisis. She subtly criticized former President Donald J. Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, a move that isolated the United States in the global effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions. With the United States having rejoined the agreement under President Biden, Harris warned against any backsliding on climate action, especially in the face of resistance from leaders who deny the science of climate change.
The current Republican nominee, Mr. Trump, has signaled his intention to once again retreat from global efforts to combat climate change if he returns to the White House. In contrast, Harris has consistently demonstrated her commitment to climate action. She has pursued polluters as California's attorney general, staking out bold positions as a senator, and casting a pivotal tie-breaking vote for the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act—the most substantial climate investment in American history.
Harris's climate adviser, Ike Irby, indicated that her focus would be on implementing the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides over $370 billion in funding for wind, solar, batteries, and electric vehicles. This law is designed to facilitate a transition away from fossil fuels, the burning of which is a major driver of global temperature rise. Republicans have vowed to overturn this legislation if they gain control of Congress and the presidency, doubling down on their commitment to fossil fuels at their recent convention.
Gina McCarthy, former national climate adviser under President Biden, asserted that Harris would be a formidable opponent against Trump. McCarthy stated, "She will fight every day for all Americans to have access to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment. Vice President Harris would kick ass against Trump."
As a senator from California, a state known for its progressive climate policies, Harris promoted initiatives to electrify school buses, reduce children's exposure to diesel engine pollution, replace lead water pipes, and enhance drought resilience in agriculture. She also co-sponsored the Green New Deal, a non-binding resolution advocating for a swift transition to clean energy and social equity.
During her 2020 presidential campaign, Harris unveiled a climate plan that included a $10 trillion increase in spending over a decade and a carbon pricing mechanism with dividends returned directly to households. She also supported a ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), a technique for extracting oil and gas that has raised environmental concerns. As California's attorney general, she challenged federal approvals of offshore fracking and investigated Exxon Mobil for allegedly misleading the public about the risks of climate change.
Harris has successfully obtained settlements from oil and gas companies, including Chevron and BP, for violating pollution laws. She also co-sponsored legislation with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to ensure that environmental regulations consider the impact on low-income communities, which are often disproportionately affected by climate change.
While Harris has not used the phrase "Green New Deal" as vice president, her Republican opponents are likely to associate her with the proposal, which conservatives have mocked and criticized. Despite this, environmental groups like Evergreen Action have endorsed her, and youth-led organizations like the Sunrise Movement have praised Biden's decision to step aside, calling for his replacement to put forward a bold vision to address the climate crisis.
Kamala Harris's commitment to climate action and environmental justice is evident in her track record, and she is expected to make it a key component of her presidential campaign. Her stance aligns with the growing public support for renewable energy and the urgent need to address the climate crisis.